French-led forces in Mali take Timbuktu airport, enter city

From Andrea de Georgio, for CNN

updated 5:54 PM EST, Mon January 28, 2013

Malian soldiers transport in a pickup truck a dozen suspected Islamist rebels on Friday, February 8, after arresting them north of Gao. A suicide bomber blew himself up on February 8 near a group of Malian soldiers in the northern city, where Islamist rebels driven from the town have resorted to guerilla attacks.

Malians look at the charred motorcycle used by a suicide bomber before he blew himself up near a group of Malian soldiers on February 8. The act marked the first suicide attack in the embattled west African nation since the start of a French-led offensive to oust the Islamists from Mali's north, where they had controlled key towns for 10 months.

A convoy of French army vehicles head toward Gao on February 7. France is mulling over when to hand off its four-week-old intervention to U.N. peacekeepers.

A man searches through the ruins of a building destroyed by French airstrikes in Douentza, Mali, on Tuesday, February 5. The town was retaken by French and Malian troops in January.

A child holds up a machine gun round found in the ruins of a building destroyed by French airstrikes in Douentza, Mali, on February 5.

A child leads a donkey cart past a destroyed Malian army armored vehicle near Douentza, Mali, on February 5.

Malians welcome France's President Francois Hollande as he arrives in Timbuktu on Saturday, February 2. French-led troops are working to secure the area against Islamist militants.

A man sweeps the red carpet at Mali's Mopti airport on January 2 before the arrival of Hollande and Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore.

French soldiers patrol next to the Djingareyber mosque, on January 31, in Timbuktu, Mali. The city was recaptured on January 28, by French-led forces in their offensive against Islamist rebels who have been occupying Mali's north since last April.

French air strikes destroyed this vehicle outside the northern Malian city of Gao.

Men play boules, a game that was forbidden under Islamist rule. on January Wednesday, 30, in Gao, Mali. Gao, once a key Islamist stronghold, was retaken on January 26 by French and Malian troops.

A Malian soldier tries to disperse looters in Timbuktu, Mali, on Tuesday, January 29. Malian and French forces have been battling Islamist militants to loosen their grip on the country. France was the colonial power in Mali until 1960.

People cheer along a road in Ansongo, a town near the northern Malian city of Gao, as troops from neighboring Niger enter the city.

A man waves a French flag as residents celebrate the arrival of Niger troops on January 29 in Ansongo.

Niger troops enter Ansongo on January 29.

Malian soldiers enter the historic city of Timbuktu on Monday, January 28.

French soldiers flying back from Timbuktu arrive at the French army base camp in Sevare on January 28.

A man prays in the recently liberated town of Douentza on January 28.

Wounded Malian soldiers rest after receiving medical care at the Polyclinique of Kati on Sunday, January 27.

Malian soldiers wait at a checkpoint near Sevare on January 27.

A French soldier walks through the bush in central Mali on January 27.

Malian soldiers wait at a checkpoint near Sevare on January 27.

A Malian soldier stands amid debris Saturday, January 26, in the key central town of Konna, which has been under French and Malian army control since last week. It was taken on January 11 by Islamist groups.

Malian soldiers walk past the bullet-riddled wall of a house in Konna on Saturday, January 26.

A Malian soldier looks at the wreckage of an Islamist rebel's armed pickup truck in Konna.

Ammunition lies on the ground in Konna.

Malian soldiers escort journalists in Konna.

Malian soldiers patrol a street of Diabaly on January 26.

Ali Ag Noh, right, stands with his family in front of his house on Friday, Janurary 25, in the village of Seribala, Mali, after his cousin and brother-in-law, Aboubakrim Ag Mohamed, and a cattle rancher, Samba Dicko, were shot dead on January 24, allegedly by the Malian Army. According to Noh, Mohamed, a Tuareg, and Dicko were shot in the head in Seribala after being accused by two Malian soldiers of being Islamists or aiding Islamists.

Members of the French army arrive at a base camp in Sevare, Mali, on January 25. French and Malian troops advanced on the key Islamist stronghold of Gao after recapturing the northern town of Hombori as the extremists bombed a strategic bridge to thwart a new front planned in the east.

Malian soldiers ride a motorcycle in a street of Merkala, on Thursday, January 24, 2013 as the first of the 6,000 troops pledged by African nations to support France started heading north.

A Malian soldier armed with a machine gun watches a herd of cattle crossing a bridge over the Niger River on January 24. Mali's military offensive against militants controlling the northern half of the country has gathered pace in the past two weeks, with backing from France and other international allies.

A French army convoy travels near Segou, in south-central Mali, is on its way to Diabaly on January 24.

A woman who fled northern Mali sits at a camp for internally displaced persons in Sevare on Wednesday, January 23. The EU announced 20 million euros of extra humanitarian aid to help Malians fleeing fighting, its second such donation in as many months.

A soldier rides on the back of a scooter outside Diabaly on January 23.

Malians walk past a destroyed truck mounted with a machine gun on Tuesday, January 22. The truck was used by militants and destroyed during airstrikes by the French air force.

Malian soldiers patrol Diabaly on January 22.

Malian soldiers walk past destroyed army barracks as they patrol in Diabaly on January 22, 2013.

A French soldier mans his post on January 22 near the city of Diabaly, Mali.

A French soldier stands guard in front of charred pickups used by Islamist rebels in Diabaly, Mali, on Monday, January 21. The Malian military says it has gained control of the town of Diabaly, a key advance in the battle against Islamist militants in the north.

A Malian soldier walks past a army building that was taken by the jihadists before being destroyed during aerial bombing in Diabaly on January 21.

A Malian soldier searches through debris after aerial bombing in the city of Diabaly on January 21.

A French soldier looks around after arriving in Diabaly on January 21.

French soldiers unload military equipment from an aircraft on January 21.

Malian youths look on as French soldiers drive through Niono on Sunday, January 20.

The French Army conducts operations in Mali on January 20.

A Malian soldier holds a machine gun on top of a jeep on the road back from the town of Mopti, Mali, on Saturday, January 19.

French soldiers of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment stand with their equipment in front of a helicopter on January 19 at an airbase near Bamako, Mali. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on January 19 that France now had 2,000 troops on the ground in Mali as part of a drive against Islamist militants holding the north of the country.

French soldiers of the 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment relax on January 19 at the airbase near Bamako.

A French soldier from the helicopter regiment stands guard at the airbase on January 19.

Malian soldiers check the identity of passengers in a bus coming from Mopti on January 19.

French President Francois Hollande, left, speaks with soldiers who are due to leave for Mali, during a meeting in Tulle, France, on January 19.

Malian soldiers sit in a truck on their way to Niono, Mali, on Friday, January 18.

A Malian child looks out from a bus as Malian army soldiers check vehicles and passengers in the city of Niono on Friday, January 18. Malian troops, with help from France and a U.N.-mandated African force, are fighting al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants.

Malian soldiers man a checkpoint in Niono on January 18.

Togolese troops board a plane to Bamako, Mali, on Thursday, January 17, at the Lome airport in Togo. Troops from West African countries are heading to Mali as part of a U.N.-mandated African force to fight the insurgents.

Helmets belonging to soldiers of the Nigerian army are prepared to be sent to Mali at the Nigerian army peacekeeping center near Kaduna, Nigeria, on January 17.

Malian soldiers stand guard as Mali's President Dioncounda Traore speaks to French troops at an air base in Bamako, Mali, on Wednesday, January 16.

A Malian soldier adjusts his weapon as President Traore speaks to French troops at an air base in Bamako on January 16.

French army soldiers stand on armoured vehicles as they leave Bamako and start their deployment to the north of Mali as part of the Serval operation on Tuesday, January 15.

A French flag is hung on a van in Bamako as French troops start a deployment in the north of Mali on Wednesday.

French troops prepare their Sagaie armoured all terrain vehicles from the Licorne operation based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at the 101st military airbase near Bamako on Wednesday.

French troops from the Licorne operation based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, arrive at the 101st military airbase near Bamako on Wednesday to reinforce the Serval operations, before their deployment in the north of Mali.

Malian police patrol in the capital of Bamako on Sunday, January 13.

Malian police patrol Bamako on Sunday.

A British army Boeing C-17 cargo plane from British Brize Norton base lands Sunday at the Evreux military base in France to take supplies to Bamako.

French soldiers prepare cargo for a British plane en route to Bamako on Sunday at the Evreux military base.

A French armored vehicle rolls onto a British army aircraft to be taken to Bamako on Sunday in Evreux.

Workers adjust chains on a vehicle load in the C-17 in Evreux on Sunday.

Internally displaced Malians from Timbuktu chat at a makeshift cafe in Bamako on Sunday.

French President Francois Hollande, right, speaks with members of Malian associations in France during a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sunday.

Muslim men protest French military action in Mali outside the French Embassy in central London on Saturday, January 12. About 50 Muslim protesters gathered outside the embassy.

Protesters wave signs outside the French Embassy on Saturday in London.

The interim president of Mali, Dioncounda Traore, speaks after a ministerial Cabinet meeting in Bamako on Friday, January 11. Malian authorities declared a state of emergency throughout the country on Friday as the army launched a counteroffensive against Islamists who were pushing south.

HIDE CAPTION

Photos: Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Photos: Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Photos: Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

Mali military battles Islamist insurgents

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"We are winning in Mali," French president says

French forces are fighting the remaining Islamists in Timbuktu

Militants are reported to be fleeing to another city farther northeast

On the road to Timbuktu, Mali (CNN) -- French-led troops in Mali have seized control of the airport in Timbuktu from Islamist militants and are fighting their way into the city center, spokesmen for the French Defense Ministry and the Malian military said Monday.

"We are winning in Mali," French President Francois Hollande said at a news conference.

Malian and French forces have together been battling the Islamists to loosen their grip on the country's north, which the militants have controlled for months.

Hollande, who refused to speculate on how long the French intervention would continue, said the Islamists still control the northern part of the country.

Malian and French soldiers scored a key victory last week, taking control of Gao, a city east of Timbuktu that for months had been a militant stronghold. And flushing the Islamists out of Timbuktu, Mali's historic cultural center, would be a big symbolic gain.

The Islamists were reported to be fleeing Timbuktu to the city of Kidal, more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) to the northeast.

The quickening advance of the government forces has brought them to the heart of the territory held by the militants.

Covering the fighting up close is almost impossible for journalists, who are prevented from gaining access to the front line. Journalists are allowed to enter a town only after it has been freed and its security guaranteed by French and Malian troops.

French forces are involved in the fight in Mali, a former French colony that retains close ties with Paris, in an effort to prevent the Islamists from turning the once peaceful democracy into a haven for international terrorists.

France has 2,150 soldiers on Malian soil, with 1,000 more troops supporting the operation from elsewhere.

The Islamic extremists carved out a large haven in northern Mali last year, taking advantage of a chaotic situation after a military coup by the separatist party MNLA. The militants banned music, smoking, drinking and watching sports on television. They also destroyed historic tombs and shrines.

Refugees have told harrowing stories of life under the Islamist militants. But human rights groups have also raised concerns about reports that Malian soldiers are themselves carrying out extrajudicial killings and abuses as they counterstrike.

The prosecutor for the International Criminal Court issued a statement Monday putting Malian forces on notice that "all those alleged to be responsible for serious crimes in Mali must be held accountable."

"My Office is aware of reports that Malian forces may have committed abuses in recent days, in central Mali," the prosecutor said. "I urge the Malian authorities to put an immediate stop to the alleged abuses and on the basis of the principle of complementarity, to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the alleged crimes."

The restrictions on journalists make it harder to gauge the realities on the ground.

The United Nations' refugee agency, the UNHCR, has called for an increase in international aid for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced by the fighting in the country.

More than 150,000 refugees have fled Mali into neighboring countries, and another 230,000 are displaced inside Mali, the agency said.

One casualty in the battle for Timbuktu is the city's library, which was designated a world heritage site because of a treasure of rare books and manuscripts about precolonial Africa, a South Africa professor told CNN on Monday.

"What we don't know is the full extent of the damage," said Shamil Jeppie, who is director of the Timbuktu Manuscripts project. "There are no phones or communications to Timbuktu, and there haven't been for some time. Much of the images show documents and papers tossed on the ground, but it appears that just a portion of the library is actually burned. The building itself was certainly razed."

Jeppie said it would "be a loss for all humanity if the manuscripts were destroyed."

"In a continent in which most of the memory of peoples is transferred orally through storytelling and can be lost, the people in Timbuktu had a written tradition that is quite rare in Africa," he said.

"Most books that we get our knowledge of precolonial Africa were written by missionaries and seen through their eyes. This history is deeply precolonial, and we still have much to learn and simply can't do it without the documentation that is only there in Timbuktu."